Somerset Council has refused a proposal to install eight glamping pods at a farm near Burnham-On-Sea, citing flooding risks and landscape concerns.
The application, submitted earlier this year by Sharon Ward of Elm Tree Farm in Mark, sought permission to place the pods on a field off Southfield Road in Southwick.
The scheme included the use of 30 existing parking spaces and proposed flood mitigation measures such as elevating the pods by one metre and creating a formal evacuation plan.
In its decision, Somerset Council described the site as “inappropriate” for development and said the plan would not represent “sustainable development.”
The authority added that the proposal would cause “material harm to the character and appearance of the area” and was “inconsistent with the site’s immediate and wider landscape character.”
The site is located within Flood Zone Three, and the council noted “insufficient information” to demonstrate the long-term safety of the development.
According to Burnham-on-Sea, officials also considered the proximity of the Bristol Channel, nearly six kilometres away, as a factor in assessing flood risk.
Eight residents submitted objections during the planning process. Concerns included “high levels of pollution and noise disruption” from additional traffic and the lack of amenities within walking or cycling distance.
This is not the first time planning proposals linked to Elm Tree Farm have been declined. A separate application in 2023 to raise land levels by three metres to establish an orchard on adjacent land was also refused, with the council citing a lack of supporting evidence.
For business owners in the glamping and outdoor hospitality sectors, the decision illustrates the challenges of developing accommodations in areas with environmental constraints.
Planning authorities are placing increasing emphasis on flood resilience, landscape impact, and sustainability criteria.
Operators considering similar projects may benefit from engaging early with local planning authorities, conducting robust environmental assessments, and addressing community concerns to reduce the likelihood of refusal.